AfriForum presents barometer to Human Rights Commission and UN Forum on Minority Issues
All South Africans' human rights are not protected equally and South Africa is already guilty of several serious human rights violations, according to the first human rights barometer released by the Solidarity Research Institute (SRI) today on the eve of Human Rights Day. In addition, there are more human rights that are threatened than rights that are protected in South Africa.
The human rights barometer will be released annually and focuses on all the entrenched civil and political, as well as socio-economic rights in the Bill of Rights. It casts light on controversial human rights violations like the violation of South Africans' right to equality, safety and security, training, access to information as well as the violation of the rights of minorities.
Johan Kruger, head of the SRI, emphasises that these rights, which require proactive action from the government, are the most under threat. AfriForum and the SNI will present the barometer to the Human Rights Commission in Johannesburg tomorrow, which is Human Rights Day, and to the United Nations (UN) Forum on Minority Issues in Switzerland next week.
According to Kruger, serious violations of six of the basic human rights, including the right to life, a safe, clean environment and minority rights, are already taking place. Furthermore, South Africans' right to equality, freedom of speech and access to information are also violated and another four of the 27 human rights investigated are under threat.
According to Alana Bailey, deputy chief executive of AfriForum, the annual barometer will be a decisive factor when AfriForum plans its campaigns. "AfriForum has done a lot of work in the area of civil rights over the past five years. This study will enable AfriForum to expand its services to the civil community," Bailey explained.
"One of the most serious violations of human rights that is taking place at present is the violation of South Africans' right to life. There are also several violations of the rights of minorities. South Africa has the second highest murder rate in the world.
More than 50 people are murdered in South Africa every day, and hate speech and racism are the order of the day. The low conviction rate in respect of violent crime in South Africa is further proof that not enough importance is attached to the right to life. Therefore, AfriForum will focus its efforts on crime prevention and the protection of cultural and language rights in 2011," she added.
"The human rights barometer shows, among other things, that affirmative action in South Africa is of a permanent nature, even though international guidelines stipulate that it should be temporary. Affirmative action based on demographic representation also encourages inequality within the designated groups, as preference is generally given to Africans," Kruger said.
"Furthermore, instead of appointing competent, white candidates in posts, posts are often left vacant, as is currently the case in the South African Police Service, in spite of the high unemployment rate," he added. "The resulting poor service delivery to the community contributes directly to other South Africans' human rights, like the right to life, being threatened," according to Kruger.
Statement issued by Johan Kruger, Head of the Solidarity Research Institute, December 9 2010
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